Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 10

Written Answers. - Access Facilities for Disabled Persons.

John Bruton

Ceist:

134 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline in respect of each State body for which he is statutorily responsible, the public buildings where easy access facilities such as ramps, lifts or otherwise for persons using wheelchairs do not exist; the services provided in the buildings; and the plans to improve accessibility thereto.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

It is my policy that all State bodies for which I am responsible should, where at all practicable, have easy access to public offices for persons using wheelchairs. I have again emphasised to the various State bodies the need to accommodate such persons.

In general, all State bodies for which I have statutory responsibility and which have public offices have been provided with easy access and special facilities for wheelchair users.

In the case of CERT, one training area in Cork is not accessible to wheelchair users. As the centre is leased on a short-term basis, CERT has no proposals to make alterations to this particular building. It is, however, the policy of this organisation, as applied where ownership or longer-term lease interests exist, to make full provision for the accessibility of wheelchairs.

Details of FÁS facilities are not included as this is a day-to-day matter and the Deputy may obtain the information direct from FÁS. In general, it is FÁS policy to provide suitable access to public offices for wheelchairs and, where these facilities are not presently available, to make them available as soon as practicable.

John Bruton

Ceist:

135 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Labour if he will list the offices used by his Department to which easy access by means of ramps and lifts does not exist for those using wheelchairs; the services provided in these offices; and the plans to improve access.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

All offices used by my Department have been provided with easy access and special facilities for wheelchair users.